Yesterday’s game between the Orioles and the Blue jays was stopped in the middle of the fifth inning for a Memorial Day moment of silence. Not even I object to the sentiment; the execution left something to be desired.
While everyone stood with hats off, a syrupy Josh Grobin tune was played over the PA system; flowing American flags were shown on the scoreboard. The point of a moment of silence is the silence. Does everything we do now require accompaniment?
I think the issue is PVGD: Post Vietnam Gratitude Disorder. There are a lot of people still around who remember how shamefully the returning Vietnam veterans were treated. These exhibitions of hyper-sentiment are a way to try to make up for that, exacerbated by the fact that, since the draft ended, most Americans do not serve. Those who had “other priorities” show they’re just as patriotic by wearing their gratitude on their sleeves. Just don’t ask them to pay increased taxes to better care for the returning wounded, or for improved survivor’s benefits, or putting proper armor on the Humvees.
3 comments:
The issue is also information overload and overstimulation, rarely on such cacophonous, distracting view as at baseball parks. Jim Bouton wrote with atonishment in Ball Four of the Astrodome scoreboard that told fans when to cheer. Now no moment is free of blaring rock and roll,. stupid scoreboard races, trivia contests, advertisements, and exhortations to cheer or dance.
Sappy music (or, as was the fashio a few years ago, crappy Tob Keith songs) fills time that might be better left for quiet contemplation.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
“Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home”
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
I used to go to a lot of baseball games. Not so much anymore. This is a large part of why not. I like to go to a game and discuss what I'm seeing with my seat mates. Even my daughter is a knowledgeable fan. Today you practically have to shout to be heard by the person next to you between innings. The only quiet time is during the actual game, when I'm hoping to see something to talk about during the quiet time that isn't there anymore.
This dovetails nicely with my current post about oppressive, loud, dumb gym music. In a comment to that post, I relate this to constant sonic and visual bombardment at baseball games.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
“Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home”
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
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